John Fisher, a Portage native and pastor at First United Methodist Church in South Haven, Mich., was recently asked by a parishioner to perform a union ceremony for two homosexual males. After much consideration, Fisher said he had to turn down the union because if he performed it, his ordainment would be taken away.

Unsettled by this experience and others from his past, Fisher decided to take a stand. He has written five petitions and recommended revisions to the literature set forth by the United Methodist Church regarding homosexuality.

"Several other organizations have written templates for petitions that have been signed by thousands of people across the country. However,
mine came from my life in ministry, my understanding of the Gospel, and my experiences," said Fisher.

The Methodist discipline says homosexuality is against the Christian faith, and Fisher agrees that it currently is, but believes that the anti-homosexual beliefs are outdated.

"I'd like to apologize for this teaching, just like we did with the teachings against women being ordained or people being able to own people," said Fisher. "God is far more inclusive than we are."

Fisher's revisions are specifically focused on literature discriminating against homosexuals. For example, whenever the discipline mentions the word "heterosexual," Fisher either requested an omission or a replacement with, "people who love and are committed to each other."

One paragraph specifically reads, "the United Methodist
Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this
practice incompatible with Christian teaching." Fisher suggests a revision that reads, "the United Methodist Church now recognizes that
the historical Christian teaching that condemned the practice of homosexuality,
is flawed, and we repent of such teachings and ask for forgiveness for the pain
and suffering such teachings have caused and are causing."

Fisher said that although the acceptance of homosexuality has been an issue for several decades in the UMC, that there is a good chance that the delegates will rule in favor of his petitions and those like his.

"Our nation as a whole is becoming more and more comfortable with homosexuality. You can see by looking at the repeal of 'don't ask don't tell,'" he said, referring to the 17-year law that banned openly gay men, lesbians and bisexuals from military service.

The petitions will be reviewed and considered by delegates from across
the country. The delegates will discuss all of the petitions, review the
current literature and vote whether or not to amend it. Two delegates
-- Kennetha Bigham and Laurie Dahlman -- from the Kalamazoo area will represent the region at the conference.